Evening Update Friday 14th of June 2024

NEWS
No Representent of the New Front Populaire - Former leader of the far-left LFI party, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, will not represent the left-wing’s Front Populaire. Raphael Glucksmann, head of the socialist party, confirmed there will be no single leader for the left-wing alliance, and no party will dominate within the alliance, unlike the former NUPES coalition. Their primary objective is to oppose the far-right.

New Front Populaire Program - The New Front Populaire presented its alliance program in Paris, outlining key measures for a potential left-wing government. Key proposals include increasing the minimum wage to €1,600 net and a 10% raise for public sector employees. Repealing pension, unemployment insurance reforms, and immigration law. Implementing price controls on essential goods. Supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and providing military aid, and improving public services, including healthcare, education, and social housing. 

Marine LePen's Promises - Far-Right party Marine Le Pen has promised a "national unity government" if the Rassemblement National (RN) wins the upcoming legislative elections. She emphasized that the initial measures would address state spending and immigration during her visit to Hénin-Beaumont. She mentioned forming an audit commission to uncover hidden expenses and proposed reducing VAT on energy and controlling immigration. Le Pen also criticized the extreme left and accused certain Republicans of secretly aligning with Renaissance lists.

Diving Fatalities in the Var - Following the death of a diver, the Var prefect has closed the Haute-Loire diving club. The club, known for taking divers too deep, has seen four fatalities since January 1st, matching the total number of diving deaths in all of 2023. The Var prefect advises divers to get a medical check-up before diving, never dive alone, stay hydrated, and not overestimate their physical abilities.

Train Traffic Disturbed - TER trains traffic will be disturbed today following last night’s rail works. Trains passing through Nice have been delayed or cancelled. Traffic has now been stabilised.

Weekend Traffic Difficult on A57 - Traffic on the A57 will be heavily impacted from Saturday to Monday between Toulon, Nice, and the eastern communes of the metropolis due to major roadworks near the N2 Pont de la Palasse interchange. Although the work is scheduled to take place at night, slow traffic is expected throughout the weekend.

Cyclist Accident in Tourettes-Sur-Loup - A cyclist has collided with a heavy good vehicle early this afternoon near la Tourettes-sur-Loup. The cyclist is seriously injured and has been taken to Antibes' Hospital. traffic is disrupted in the area. 

 

BUSINESS
Done Global’s founders have been arrested for fraud. US investigators arrested Done Global's founder, Ruthia He, and clinical president, David Brody, for a $100 million scheme to fraudulently distribute Adderall and other drugs. They exploited telemedicine rules loosened during the pandemic to provide stimulants without legitimate purposes. Charges include drug distribution and defrauding government healthcare programs,
with potential 20-year prison sentences. Despite knowing about overdoses and deaths, they continued their practices.

Since the COVID pandemic, shopping has increasingly merged with social media, especially through the trend #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, which has over seven billion posts. The social shopping market was worth $570 billion in 2023 and is expected to exceed a trillion dollars by 2028, with Facebook Marketplace being the largest platform for transactions. TikTok's future in the US is uncertain due to potential bans unless it separates from ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company. Despite these challenges, social shopping behaviors are expected to continue thriving, regardless of the platform.

 

SPORTS
Cricket - Afghanistan are through to the T20 World Cup Super 8s after beating Papua New Guinea by seven wickets in Trinidad, eliminating New Zealand in the process.

Rugby Union - Bath prop Beno Obano has been given a four-match ban after being sent off during Saturday's Premiership final defeat by Northampton Saints. Obano was shown a red card in the 21st minute of the match for a dangerous tackle on Northampton number eight Juarno Augustus.

Tennis - Britain's Emma Raducanu continued her Wimbledon preparations by cruising into the quarterfinals of the Nottingham Open with a straight-set win over Ukraine's Daria Snigur. She will face compatriot Fran Jones or American Ashlyn Krueger in the last eight.

 

WEATHER
Mostly cloudy all across the region with moderate to strong winds around Cannes. Highs of 22 degrees in Nice and Toulon, 24 in Cannes and Marseille, and 27 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 15 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend:
Saturday: cloudy morning and clear afternoon with highs of 22 degrees. Sunday: Mostly fine with highs of 23 degrees.
Monday: Fine and clear with highs of 23 degrees.

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